Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Pennell Municipal Complex
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
AGENDA
Present: Anne Gass, Rich Licht, Peter Gellerson, Don Hutchings, Dick Barter, Lew Mancini
Absent: Tom Delaney, Ed Libby
Staff: George Thebarge
- Monument Square Master Planning updates if any yet (this would be if George had any data yet to give to us).
Energy was outstanding – were 100% engaged and into it. We’ve got script, points, and data. It’s a start. Not the final plan. Dots were pretty clear.
Vision 1 was almost unanimously opposed.
Vision 3 was strongly supported.
Level of town involvement- came somewhere in the middle.
Themes emerged:
- The ballfield, the school facilities as green space
- Shared parking
- Vehicular connection
- Limited curb cuts
- Four seasons
Dennis Lachman’s contract with us is up and he is a little over budget for his work. We were pleased with the work he did for us and will look for other funds to support future design assistance, if needed.
Next steps:
- Need to do a report to the Council
- Brian will edit the video and get it ready to put out on the local access channel.
- Reporting back to the people who participated. Thank them for coming.
- George preserved some old conceptual maps that could be merged with the results of the planning charette. Need to put together a concept that can be sent out to voters for approval. Then once approved, we can send out to RFP for developers. Provide a list of permitted uses, but don’t make them specific.
Consider proposal to Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program- Cumberland County fund.
- Discussion of Maine Narrow Gauge RR RFP
Four things they want. Money, land, building, volunteer base. Want a proposal by December 6. Their message was “don’t give up”. Here’s what might be possible. Offer to do a feasibility study for buildings. Provide some context about what else is happening in town.
George will respond by December 6.
- Discussion of any updates since the Town Council approved the Northbrook letter of agreement.
George will continue to work with Walter & Ron. Checking to see that it’s possible to do the things we’ve discussed in the letter, like moving the intersection.
For Area 3, will need to do preliminary soils assessment, look for areas suitable for wastewater. Will also need to do a traffic study
- CDBG- existing grant needs to be spent by July 1. Upcoming CDBG deadline in December.
- Manny’s.
- Need to remove Exxon sign.
- Town has an easement along his northern border.
- Sign is not in the right place- not clear whether the statute has run out. Town should offer to remove the sign for Manny.
- The committee voted unanimously that by the next CEDC Meeting, Dick will recommend to Deb that an appropriate town official and a CEDC member will go and see Manny and offer to remove the sign at town expense.
Next meeting Dec. 15
The committee agreed to invite Mr. Nevers to the next meeting to educate us on the various options we should consider.
Next meeting December 15.
8:30PM Adjourn
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